What Tablet & What Software to use?

[PaperbackRyder]

I've been keeping paper notebooks for the various sub gigs I get, but the client list is growing, so I should update my tech on the gigs. I am an Android and Windows PC user fwiw.
What is a suitable tablet for gigging?
What is a good web source for importing chord charts and/or bass tabs for tunes?
What software is best for scanning & importing my existing "charts" (handwritten cheat sheets)??
Many Thanks!
=JR=

 

[Rick Penrose]

I use an iPad and an app called Forescore, and I am happy with its ease of use and flexibility. It a pretty popular setup here; however, there are others that work well also. Forescore is an Apple only product if that is a concern.

 

[Hectobar]

+1 forescore. Like any software there is a learning curve but if I can do it, anybody can.

not only do I import scans and take photos of charts, I write many handwritten cheat sheets in forescore.

 

[herbygardener]

I use an android tablet and a program called Setlist Helper
Setlist Helper for Android | Setlist Helper Help
I too had paper notes for all the songs we do. I have added my hand written notes to Setlist helper (by taking a pic of them)and have also added lyrics for each song.
The program has a feature to look up and download chords and lyrics.
I have a holder for the tablet on my mic stand, quick and easy to look things up without flipping thru a binder full of notes.
Cheers

 

[sears]

I am a PC/Android person but bought an iPad last year so I could use ForScore. It's great.

I didn't expect to love iReal Pro so much. It's a killer practice aid. I even use it for gigs since I'm used to looking at it for practicing. It'll transpose so I'm not doing that in my head. The giant, free library is wiki style. Entering your own charts or editing existing ones isn't too bad. Edit mode is like a word processor.

 

[Richard Lindsey]

I am a PC/Android person but bought an iPad last year so I could use ForScore. It's great.

I'm a PC (and Linux)/Android person too, and I did the same thing as you: bought an iPad (Pro) to use forScore on. I'm now really digging it. I would definitely have considered an Android tablet, but I didn't know of any with a screen that was big enough and good enough, and I wasn't sure if the score/setlist management software was there. I need a big tablet because I have to read a lot of multiple-page charts, which means I typically have the tablet in landscape mode, showing two pages at once. The 12.9" iPad Pro is great for that (albeit pricy!).

 

[StyleOverShow]

Size of the screen is perhaps the other issue. My eyesight is good, after lens multi focus replacement so I can read an iPad 10.9 inch screen standing three feet away. So consider screen size. My iPad fits in my gig bag and so it’s easy to keep secure.

Mounting them, on mic stands or on a music stand is another consideration for overall size.

As an organizer these digital systems provide ways of easily keeping track of tunes with the same name, like Crazy by Gnarls Barkley or Seal, or arrangement like the much abused Moon Dance so I can put together a setlist and know I’ve the right chart for this band gig.

Whatever your choice you’re moving in the right direction…

 

[PaperbackRyder]

Thanks, everyone!
It appears that Forescore is the best s/w choice so I have ordered a refurb iPad pro. If I get a few extra gigs because of this elevated prep, it will have paid for itself.